Minnesota National Guard allowed to establish referral bonus program

Outfitting the Minnesota National Guard with tools needed to hit its enlistment targets is one of the main provisions of a new law.

Sponsored by Rep. Matt Norris (DFL-Blaine) and Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury), it will allow the guard to establish a bonus program to provide payments to members who refer someone who enlists or is commissioned. Bonuses would be paid for with funds that have already been appropriated.

Among other provisions, the law (which is mostly effective May 9, 2024) will also:

• provide increased access to investigatory data from civilian law enforcement agencies when the guard is conducting its own disciplinary proceedings for members, and add the guard to the list of criminal justice agencies under the state’s government data practices act;

• allow unspent funds from a grant to the Metro Meals on Wheels program that delivers meals to veterans, to be available for an additional year;

• establish misdemeanor and felony crimes for intentional, unauthorized presence at a variety of locations and facilities owned by the state or federal government for a military purpose; and

• give the adjutant general authority to rent out any guard building or facility. Previously, that authority had been limited to Camp Ripley.

HF3454*/SF4429/CH100

HF3454* / SF4429 / CH100